Match book



Oct. 28, 1941. c. c. BALDWIN MATCH BOOK 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 22, 1938 Oct. 28, 1941. Q Q BALDWlN 2,260,359

MATCH BOOK Filed June 22, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I awe/Moe,

Cfiarka C. BaZdn L'n Patented Oct. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,260,359 j I ,7 q

MATCH BOOK Charles 0. Baldwin, St. Louis; M0, Application June 22, 1938, Serial No. 215,250 I 20min (01. 20629) This invention relates to match books andhas for its object to provide a comparatively simple and inexpensive device of this character, the match splints i of which are pivotally mounted andnormally housed within a protective cover or casing and adapted to be swung laterally to exposed position at the side of the casing to permit the, match splints to be selectively detached and ignited without danger of burning the fingers or liability of premature ignition of the" match splints or the breaking of the said match splints in the lighting process.

,Afurther object of the invention is to provide a; match book, the match striking surface of which is concealed within a cover assuring complete protection against moisture "and dirt and also enhancing the appearance of the book and permitting additional space for advertising matter; said striking surface being incorporated upon one or more of the opposed inner faces of the cover so that by inserting the head of a match splint within the casing at said strikingv surface and exerting a slight inward pressure on the walls of the casing while at the same time withdrawing-the match therefrom, ignition of said match will be quickly and safely effected.

A further object of the invention is to make the cover or casing of the match book from a single sheet or blank of paper or other suitable material-so constructed that, when folded into shape, one side of the match book will provide an igniting channel adapted to operatively receive the heads of the match splints when lightingthe, same.

A further object is to normally expose one corner of the base endzof the'match splint card or insert at a corner of the cover or casing'to provide a convenient fingerpiece whereby to fa cilitate-swinging said-match splint insert on its pivotal axis to exposed position when it is desired to detach a match. I r

A still further object of this invention is to provide a match book that can be easily opened and closed with one hand and generally to improve this class of devices so as to increase their utility, durability and efficiency. I

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings:

,Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of amatch book embodying the present invention showing the match splints swung laterally toexposed position to permit the detache lq a match, I r H Figure-2 is a similar view showing match splint cards housed within the casing and a match introduced within the igniting channel of the casing preparatory to lighting said match, the match splint insert, being pivoted onleg of staple,

Figure- Sis a transverse front end view of Figure 1 showingithe splints in closed position, I Figure 4 isa' plan view ofthe blank from which the casingorcover' is formed, j I II Figure 5- isa' sideelevation, partly in'section', illustrating a modified :form of I the invention; v

Figure 6 is a similar-view showing another form of the'invention, 1 I

' Figure 715 a perspective view illustrating a still further modification showing the match splints housed within the-casing and a match'introduced within'the match igniting chamber of the casing preparatory to lighting said'match, I v

Figure 8 is a-vertical sectionalview of the cove or &casing asshown in Figure 'I, and constructed from theblank asshown' in Figure 10, witha further modified form ofmatch splint card or insert being-shown, I j

Figure 9 is a: transverse "front or top end view with splint cards in closedposition as shown in Figure 8,- -and I I I v Figure 10-'is a plan view of the blank'from which the modified cover or casing shown in Figures 7 and 8 is constructed. I I

The improved match book forming the subjectmatterv of the-present invention comprises a protective'cover or casing=4 preferably formed of a single sheet or blank of paper or other suitable material'of the construction shown in Figure 4 ofthe drawings. The-blank is provided with spaced intermediate fold lines 1 defining the'bot tom 8 of the match book and sidewalls 9 and It! so that, when the blank is folded, a protective cover or casing will beprovided consisting of the front and rear walls "9 and- I0, and bottom wall 8. That end or top ofthe protective cover or casin opposite the bottom wall 8 is open and, pivotally mounted on an eyelet 'H or leg of staple as. indicatedat Ila or similar device betweenthe front and-rear walls of the cover at the top thereof, is a match splintinsert, indicated at I2. I The match splint, insert I2 is normally housed within the protective cover or casing 4 and is adaptedto be swung laterally on the pivot ll to exposed position at-the side ofthe coveriwhen it; is'desired to detach anyone of'the individual match splints, as best shown in Figure l' ofthe drawings; By constructing the blank in this manner when the latter is folded-and assembled, anigniting channel 13 willnb'e formed-at one side of the cover, said channel having an open end through the top thereof assuring easy insertion of a match. One or more of the inner opposed faces of the front and rear walls 9 and I is provided with a suitable match igniting compound l4 so that, when the head of a match isinserted within the channel l3 and a slight inward pressure exerted on the front and rear walls of the cover, the fulminate will be ignited as the match splint is withdrawn from the channel I3, asbest shown in Figure 2 ofthe drawings. In order to facilitate moving the group of match ably formed of a single sheet or blank of paper or other suitable material of the construction shown in Figure 10 of the drawings, and consisting of an elongated body portion 22 provided intermediate its length with spaced transverse fold lines 23 defining front and rear walls 24 and 25 s and an integral bottom wall 26. One of the walls Y 24 and 25 of the blank, preferably the back wall splints to open and closed position, one corner of eachwall 9 and ll) of the cover is cut away or so shaped at If: so as to normally exposetheadjacent corner of the match splint insert and permit said insert to be swung laterally atthe" W side of the cover by merely pressing laterally on the exposed corner I 6, as will be stood.

readily under- 25, is provided with a lateral extension or flap 21 and a longitudinal fold line 28, the free end of the flap-being inclined in the direction of the body of the blank, as indicated at 29,. in order to economize material and lessen the weight of the match book. The flap or extension 21 is provided with a fold line disposed at an angle I to the longitudinal fold line 28 so that, when the blank is folded, a protective cover or casing will be provided consisting of the front and rear v walls 24 and 25, bottom wall 26 and a tapered exposed corner {16 of 'the match'splint insert which will cause said'match splint insert to swing laterally on its pivot l' to extended position and in which position oneofthematch splints may be detachedor severedfrom" thegroupof splints andth'e head'thereof inserted within the channel l3. By now exerting a slightinward'pressure on the opposite walls of the cover 4' and ,simultaneously withdrawingthe match from the channel; the head of' the match 'will come in frictional contact with the istr'iking surface l4 and ignite the match. Normally-it is preferable to returnthe 'match'splints 'to"close'd position before the match can be introduced within the channel '13, giving further protection against accidental ignition of the remaining match splints. It will be noted that the match-striking surface 14 is entirely concealed within the cover thus insuring complete protection against dirt and moisture, while also further enhancing-the apsidewall 3|. That side of the cover opposite the tapered wall 3| is open and-pivotally-mounted on an eyelet or similar device betweenthe front and ,rear walls of the cover at the i open top thereof is a match splintinsert, indicated at 32 in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings. Matchstriking surface '33 as shown best'rin Figure-100i the drawings is formed on one or more ofthefope fposed inner faces of the walls to efiect ignition of the head of a match splint when the latter is inserted between the cover sections 25 and- 21 and a slight inward pressure exerted thereon as thematch is withdrawn from the cover; as shown pearance thereof and at the same'time affording additional space on thefrontand rear of the cover for placement of suitable advertising matter when desired. H

In Figure 5 of the drawihgsjthere is illustrated a modified form of'thelinvention'in which the match splint card oi'finsert is cut-away or so shaped at the base'at' '11 as to permit the "in sertion of a match splint head laterally between the front'and rear portions of thecove'r or casing a'ndr'in contact with the ignitin surface I8 for lighting, andsaid splint card providing a finger "or thumb engaging lug l9 extending laterally from theother side of the splint card or insert for "convenience inswing'ingsame laterally into openand closed-positions.- g In :Figures 6 o f theidr'awings'; illustrating another modified form; of the invention thematch splint card or' insert thes'ame as those shown in Figure's l and 2 except that the base end of the splint card orinsert is provided with a vertical" lug 2| projecting-beyond the end or top of the mover and 'adapted to be "pressed laterally withrthe finger" orthumbinorder to swing the matchin'sert to." exposed position at the side of thecover. I F r J 1 In Figure 7 of-"the drawings, thereis illustrated a stillfurthermodifiedform of the invention in which the protectivecover or: casing? 2r preferin Figure? of the drawings; Inthis form of the device the cover is cut-away or so shaped at 34 to expose a corner 35 of the match splint insert to facilitate moving the match 'splints to open position as previously described. 1 1

In Figure 8 of the drawings, there is illustrated a vertical sectional view of the cover or casing as shown in Figure 7', and showing a modified form of. the device,v a match splint card or'insert 32 which being provided with'aflaterally extended lug 36 completely incloses the igniting channel when the match splints are in'closed position;

* giving complete pr0tecti0n"ag'ainst: dirt and dampnessfas" best shown in Figure' 9 o-f the drawings." r

It will be noted thatin' all forms of the-device the match splint insert is pivotally 1 n( unted within a protective cover or casing and'is 'mov able laterally to exposed position at the side of the cover and that in each instance the match striking surface is entirely concealed so as to prevent moisture from coming into contact with said match striking surface and preventing proper ignition of thematches.

' It will, of course, be understood that the match books may be made in difierent sizes and shapes I and the protective covers thereof constructed of paper, aluminum or any other suitable material without tlOl'l; Y v

Having thus described the invention, whens claimed as new is: r

1. A blank for match book covers formed ofa single sheet of material and comprising an elongated body portion having spaced intermediate transverse fold lines and a longitudinal fold line defining the said elongated body portion,'.'and provided at one end thereof with an integ allateral extension orfiapjsaidextension being pro-f ,v'ided with a fold line disposed at an angl'e'to the adjacent longitudinal fold line, and inclined in the-direction of one end of said blank, the

extension and adjacent portionof the body of departing from the'spirit of theinven the blank being provided with a match-striking surface adapted to be concealed within the cover when the blank is folded into shape.

2. A match book embodying a match splint insert and a one-piece cover overlapping the insert on opposite faces thereof and extending beyond the side edges thereof at one side and forming overlying margins, said margins having match striking material on the inner faces thereof adjacent the base of the insert, and a relatively wide staple having one leg thereof passed medially through the ends of the cover and enclosed insert to form a. pivot and its other leg passed through the said overlying margins of the cover adjacent one edge of the insert and near the zone of the match striking material.

CHARLES C. BALDWIN. 

